The days after Kael's departure were strangely quiet, and Lila found herself going through her life as if nothing had really changed. Her shop, once a small dream, had become into something real. She spent hours tending to the plants, speaking to the few customers who walked in, and enjoying the simple joys that came with independence. But despite her peaceful days, a part of her felt empty.
Lila had convinced herself that she was stronger now, that she could move on and never look back at Kael. Yet, there were nights when the weight of his absence would settle into her chest like a stone. There were moments when she thought she heard his voice, or when the smell of fresh herbs reminded her of the times they had spent together in the garden. But each time, she reminded herself of why she had walked away. She had made the right choice.
She was content. She had to be.
But as the days turned into weeks, Lila's routine was disrupted by an unexpected visitor.
It was late one afternoon when a soft knock echoed at the door of her shop. Lila looked up from the book she was reading, a little surprised. She hadn't expected any more customers so late in the day. But when she opened the door, her breath caught in her throat.
Standing on the threshold was Kael.
Her heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. Kael stood there, his dark hair tousled by the wind, his eyes holding an expression that Lila couldn't quite decipher. He looked older, worn, as if the weight of the world had pressed down on him since their last encounter.
"Lila," he said, his voice hoarse as if he hadn't spoken in days. "I need to talk to you."
Lila felt a rush of emotions flood through her. Confusion, anger, surprise, everything mixed together. She wanted to tell him to leave, to demand an explanation for why he had come back after everything that had happened. But instead, she stepped back, opening the door wider for him to enter.
"Come in," she said softly, her voice betraying none of the confusion that was swirling in her mind.
Kael entered the small shop, his gaze scanning the room as if taking in every little detail. His eyes lingered on the plants and the shelves of flowers she had so carefully arranged, but there was no admiration in his expression. Just a quiet, sadness.
He sat down at the table where Lila had been reading. Lila closed the door behind him, crossing her arms as she waited for him to speak. This time, she wasn't going to let him control the conversation. She had been down that road before.
"I know I hurt you," Kael began, his voice quieter than before. "And I know I can never undo what I've done. But I need you to understand, Lila, I never wanted to lose you."
Lila couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped her lips. "You didn't lose me, Kael. You pushed me away. You suffocated me with your obsession. You chose your duty over me, and I walked away to save myself."
Kael flinched at her words, but he didn't look away. "I know," he said softly, his eyes meeting hers. "I was wrong. I've spent months trying to figure out how I got so lost in my own emotions. How I let everything slip away. But now... now, I know what I should have known all along. I can't go back to my life without you in it."
Lila's heart twisted at his words, but she forced herself to stay calm. "You don't get to just come back and say all the right things, Kael. You don't get to undo the damage that you've caused. I'm not the same person I was when I left. I've rebuilt my life, and I'm not willing to risk losing it again."
Kael's face hardened, but his eyes softened with something deeper. "I'm not asking you to risk anything," he said quietly. "I just need a chance to prove that I've changed. That I'm not the same man who broke your heart."
Lila looked at him, her chest tightening. She had heard him say the words before, but this time there was something in his voice, something raw and honest, that made her want to believe him. But the scars of their past were still fresh in her mind. She couldn't let herself fall into the same trap again.
"You want to prove yourself?" she asked, her voice sharp. "Then leave, Kael. Leave me alone. You've had your chance, and I won't let you destroy everything I've worked for."
Kael's face fell, the pain in his expression clear. He stood up, taking a step toward her, but Lila held up a hand, stopping him in his tracks. "No," she said firmly. "You don't get to keep coming back. Not this time."
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Kael seemed to be searching her face for something, as if trying to find some sign that she might change her mind. But there was none.
Finally, Kael nodded. "I understand," he said quietly. "I won't ask for anything more."
He turned to leave, his footsteps heavy as he walked toward the door. But just before he stepped outside, he paused and looked over his shoulder one last time.
"I'll always love you, Lila," he said softly, the words lingering in the air long after he had gone.
Lila stood there, her heart pounding in her chest as she listened to the sound of Kael's footsteps fade away. She had made her choice. She had chosen herself, and that was all she could do.
The door clicked shut behind him, and Lila felt the weight of everything she had been holding onto slip away. There was no going back, no second chances. It was time to move forward.
As the sun began to set outside, casting a golden glow over the garden, Lila finally allowed herself to breathe. She had made it through. And no matter what the future held, she knew that she was strong enough to face it.
The past was gone, and with it, so was Kael.
Lila smiled softly to herself, ready for the next chapter of her life to begin.